Wheel storage apparatus and kit

ABSTRACT

Described herein are wheel storage apparatus and kits for a wheel storage apparatus. According to some embodiments there is provided a wheel storage apparatus comprising: a frame, which may comprise a plurality of frame portions configured to be coupled to each other, directly or indirectly; and a plurality of wheel attachment devices coupled to and spaced apart from each other on the frame, each one of the attachment devices configured to support a wheel on the frame, wherein the frame is adjustable in one or more directions. According to some embodiments, each one of the attachment devices is adjustable to accommodate wheels of various widths, mounting backspacings or combinations thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of Canadian Patent Application Ser. No. 3,119,356, filed May 21, 2021; the entire contents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Related Field

The specification relates generally to wheel storage solutions, and specifically to wheel storage apparatus and kits.

Related Art

Vehicle wheels typically take up a lot of storage space and tend to appear disorganized and messy, even when stored. Existing wheel storage products typically focus on getting the wheels out of the way, but not necessarily in a compact manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, there is provided a wheel storage apparatus comprising a frame and a plurality of wheel attachment devices coupled to and spaced apart from each other on the frame, each one of the attachment devices configured to support a wheel on the frame. The frame is adjustable in one or more directions.

According to some embodiments, the frame forms a generally polygonal shape, which may be a rectangle or square. According to some embodiments, the frame comprises a plurality of frame portions configured to be coupled to each other, directly or indirectly, which may be coupled end-to-end. According to some embodiments, the plurality of frame portions comprises a plurality of corner portions. The plurality of frame portions may comprise a first pair of corner portions and a second pair of corner portions opposite the first pair of corner portions, and the frame further comprises one or more pairs of elongate portions configured to couple the first pair of corner portions to the second pair of corner portions. The frame portions may comprise at least one elongate portion configured to couple the first pair of corner portion to each other and at least another elongate portion to couple the second pair of corner portions to each other.

According to some embodiments, the frame is adjustable in two, generally co-planar directions.

According to some embodiments, each one of the plurality of wheel attachment devices is adjustable to accommodate wheels of various widths, mounting backspacings or combinations thereof.

According to some embodiments, each one of the plurality of wheel attachment devices is configured to support at least a portion of a wheel's weight via a mounting surface of the wheel.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one actuator to adjust a portion of the frame in the one or more directions. According to some embodiments, the at least one actuator comprises one or more of a spring-loaded pin, a cotter pin, a cam lock, a bolt, a nut, a safety pin, a threaded frame section and a ball spring plunger.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of wheel attachment devices are spaced apart from each other on the frame to accommodate a minimum wheel size of about 20 inches in diameter and a maximum wheel size of about 35 inches in diameter when the wheels are mounted such that the mounting face of each wheel faces the frame.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus comprises one or more mounting devices configured to couple the frame to a mounting surface.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a kit for a wheel storage apparatus comprising a plurality of separate frame portions configured to be coupled to each other, directly or indirectly, and a plurality of separate wheel attachment devices configured to be coupled to one or more of the frame portions to support a wheel thereon. According to some embodiments, the plurality of separate frame portions comprises at least one corner portion.

According to some embodiments, the kit further comprises one or more separate mounting devices configured to couple one or more of the separate frame portions to a mounting surface.

According to some embodiments, the kit further comprises at least one actuator configured to adjust a coupled length of two or more of the plurality of separate frame portions. According to some embodiments, the at least one actuator comprises one or more of a spring-loaded pin, a cotter pin, a cam lock, a bolt, a nut, a safety pin, a threaded frame section and a ball spring plunger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various implementations described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict front perspective and exploded views a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 2A to 2C depict schematics of various frame shapes, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 2D and 2E depict different shapes and configurations of a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts a front perspective view of a wheel storage apparatus with a plurality of wheels, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict diagrams of an exemplary wheel which may be stored using a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 5A to 5D depict schematics of wheel attachment devices of a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 6A to 6D depict various configurations of a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict schematics of a wheel storage apparatus having at least one actuator, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict enlarged and exploded views of a wheel attachment device of a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 9A to 9C depict schematics of adjustments to a wheel attachment device of a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict mounting devices of a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments; and

FIG. 11 depicts a kit for a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Herein described are apparatus and kits for storing vehicle wheels. According to at least some embodiments, the described apparatus and kits enable a user to store a plurality of wheels, as wheel assemblies, tires and/or rims, in an organized, compact manner. According to some embodiments, the described apparatus and kits provide a low-profile application to store and/or display vehicle wheels. For example, according to some embodiments, the described wheel storage apparatus and kits enable a user to display at least one wheel (for example, at a motor car dealership showroom or in a vehicle service centre display).

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary aspects of the present application described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the exemplary aspects described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the exemplary aspects described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the exemplary aspects described herein. Any systems, method steps, method blocks, components, parts of components, and the like described herein in the singular are to be interpreted as also including a description of such systems, method steps or tasks, components, parts of components, and the like in the plural, and vice versa.

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which depict example wheel storage apparatus 100, according to non-limiting embodiments. Wheel storage apparatus 100 comprises frame 102 having a plurality of frame portions 104, such as frame portions 104-1 to 104-6 (also referred to herein collectively as frame portions 104) configured to be coupled to each other, directly or indirectly. According to some embodiments, frame 102 is unitary and comprises one frame portion. Frame 102 may comprise a variety of shapes. For example, according to some embodiments, frame portions 104 are coupled to each other end-to-end to form a generally polygonal shape when frame 102 is assembled, such as a rectangle (FIG. 2A), square (FIG. 2B) or a composite shape that includes a polygonal shape (as shown, for example, in FIG. 2C). Alternate configurations are contemplated, such as frame configurations 202A and 202B depicted FIGS. 2D and 2E.

Frame portions 104 may comprise a variety of shapes. According to some embodiments, frame portions 104 comprises a plurality of corner portions, such as corner portions 104-1, 104-2, 104-4 and 104-5. According to some embodiments, the corner portions comprise a first pair of corner portions, such as first corner portions 104-1 and 104-2, and a second pair of corner portions opposite first corner portions, such as corner portions 104-4 and 104-5, and one or more pairs of elongate portions configured to couple the first pair of corner portions to the second pair of corner portions, such as frame portions 104-3 and 104-6. According to some embodiments, frame 102 comprises at least one elongate portion configured to couple a pair of corner portions together. For example, according to some embodiments, frame 102 comprises at least one elongate portion to couple frame portion 104-1 to frame portion 104-2.

Any suitable shape for each one of frame portions 104 is contemplated. For example, one or more of frame portions 104 have a circular cross-sectional shape, a polygonal cross-sectional shape, a track cross-sectional shape and/or an I-beam cross-sectional shape. Any suitable materials or combination of materials are contemplated. For example, according to some embodiments, one or more of frame portions 104 comprise aluminum, plastic, or any combination thereof.

Wheel storage apparatus 100 further comprises a plurality of wheel attachment devices, such as attachment devices 106 (individually attachment device 106-1, 106-2, 106-3 and 106-4). Attachment devices 106 are coupled to and spaced apart from each other on frame 102 and are each configured to support a wheel, as a wheel assembly or individually as a tire or a rim, on frame 102 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 3 where wheels 108 are being supported on frame 102 via attachment devices 106). According to some embodiments, attachment devices 106 are spaced apart from each other on frame 102 to accommodate a minimum wheel size of about 20 inches in diameter and a maximum wheel size of about 35 inches in diameter when the wheels are mounted such that a side face of each wheel faces towards frame 102.

According to some embodiments, each one of attachment devices 106 is configured to support at least a portion of a wheel's weight via mounting surface of the wheel. For example, according to some embodiments, attachment devices 106 are configured to support a wheel's weight via one or more of a surface of an opening in the rim, such as rim opening surface 118, an opening in the central hub, such as hub surface 120, a lug nut opening, such as lug opening surface 122, and an exterior surface of the wheel, such as exterior circumferential surface 124 (FIG. 4B).

According to some embodiments, attachment devices 106 comprises wheel support mount 110, facing plate 112 coupled to wheel support mount 110 and wheel supporting fastener 114 (FIGS. 8A and 8B). Wheel supporting fastener 114 is configured to support at least a portion of a wheel's weight via a wheel mounting surface (as described above) and couple the wheel to wheel support mount 110. According to some embodiments, wheel supporting fastener 114 comprises wheel adaptor nut 128, wheel mount stud 130 and wheel mount nut 132 (FIG. 8B). According to some embodiments, wheel adaptor nut 128 is metal reinforced (such as steel reinforced).

In operation, facing plate 112 abuts at least a portion of a side face of the wheel, such as a portion of inner wall face 126 of the rim or a portion of wheel side wall face 134. Wheel mount stud 130 passes through stud opening 136 in facing plate 112. According to some embodiments, wheel mount stud 130 then passes though an opening in the wheel's rim to engage wheel adaptor nut 128. Wheel adaptor nut 128 is fixed onto wheel mount stud 130 with wheel mount nut 132 such that the wheel rests on the assembled fastener 114 to support the wheel via a mounting surface of the wheel (such as rim opening surface 118, as described above). According to some embodiments, wheel mount stud 130 is engaged with wheel adaptor nut 128 and wheel mount nut 132 without passing through an opening in the wheel. The wheel is supported by fastener 114 via the wheel's exterior circumferential surface 124.

According to some embodiments, the described wheel storage apparatus provides for a variety of attachment schemes and configurations of the attachment devices. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, at least a component of attachment devices 106 may pass through a hub opening in one or more of the wheels, such as hub opening 138, (FIG. 5A) or a rim opening in one or more of the wheels, such as rim opening 140, (FIG. 5B). Any suitable shape and configuration of attachment devices 106 is contemplated. For example, attachment devices 106 may have a generally elongate shape (see, for example, FIGS. 5A and 5B), a hook shape (FIG. 5C). According to some embodiments, attachment devices 106 may comprise a plurality of wheel supporting members, such as supporting members 142-1 and 142-2 (referred to herein collectively as supporting members 142), which support at least a portion of a wheel's weight by, for example, cradling the wheel about at least a portion of an exterior circumferential surface (see, for example, FIG. 5D).

The described wheel storage apparatus provides at least some adjustability, which may be helpful in storing a plurality of wheels, as one or more of a wheel assembly or individually as a tire or a rim, of various diameters and widths. According to some embodiments, frame 102 is adjustable in one or more directions, such as a height, H, and/or width, W, (FIG. 6A). For example, the height of frame 102 may be adjustable from a first height, H1, to a second height, H2, and/or a first width, W1, to a second width, W2, (FIGS. 6B, 6C and 6D). According to some embodiments, frame 102 is adjustable in two, generally co-planar directions which may be perpendicular to each other, such as height, H, and width, W.

According to some embodiments, wheel storage apparatus 100 comprises at least one actuator, such as actuators 144 (FIGS. 7A and 7B) to adjust a portion of frame 102 in one or more directions. According to some embodiments, the actuator(s) comprises one or more of a spring-loaded pin, a cotter pin, a cam lock, a bolt and a nut, a safety pin, a threaded frame section and a ball-spring plunger. For example, according to some embodiments, actuators 144 comprise spring-loaded pins operatively coupled to at least a portion of frame 102 and configured to engage an opening in an adjacent frame portion corresponding to a desired distance between at least a pair of attachment devices. However, it is understood that any suitable actuator is contemplated.

In addition, according to some embodiments, attachment devices 106 are adjustable to accommodate wheels of various widths, mounting offset or a combination thereof. For example, according to some embodiments, wheel support mount 110 is adjustable in length, L. According to some embodiments, attachment devices 106 may further comprise at least one actuator, such as spring-loaded pin 146 configured to engage an opening in wheel support mount 110 corresponding with a desired length, such as one of openings 148.

Attention is directed to FIGS. 9A to 9C, which depict wheels having different mounting backspacings, M1, M2 and M3 (in which M3>M2>M1), along with corresponding adjustment settings for attachment devices 106, according to some embodiments. Spring-loaded pin 146 is selectively engaged with an opening in wheel support mount 110 corresponding to a desired length of wheel support mount 110 in accordance with the respective mounting backspacing. In addition, according to some embodiments, wheel adaptor nut 128 is configured such that the distance between facing plate 112 and a distal end of the wheel adaptor nut 128, such as distal end 154, can be adjusted. For example, according to some embodiments, wheel adaptor nut 128 is threaded.

According to some embodiments, wheel storage apparatus 100 comprises one or more mounting devices, such as mounting devices 150, configured to couple frame 102 to a mounting surface, such as wall 152 (FIGS. 10A and 10B). According to some embodiments, mounting devices 150 comprises one or more wall mount clips, screws, cables, hooks and/or brackets, and any suitable combination thereof. It is understood that any suitable device to couple frame 102 to a mounting surface is contemplated.

According to some embodiments, the described wheel storage apparatus may be provided as a kit. FIG. 11 depicts an example kit 300 for a wheel storage apparatus, according to non-limiting embodiments, and in which like elements are denoted by like numbers in FIGS. 1A to 10B. Kit 300 comprises a plurality of separate frame portions, such as frame portions 104 (individually, frame portions 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, 104-5 and 104-6). Frame portions 104 are configured to couple to each other, directly or indirectly, to form a frame when assembled (such as frame 102). Frame portions 104 may comprise one or more corner portions, such as frame portion 104-1. Kit 300 further comprises a plurality of separate wheel attachment devices, such as attachment devices 106 configured to couple to frame portions 104 and each support a wheel, as a wheel assembly or individually as a tire or a rim, thereon. Each one of attachment devices 106 may be provided as a plurality of separate sub-components and/or sub-assemblies, such as wheel support mount 110, facing plate 112 and wheel supporting fastener 114.

According to some embodiments, kit 300 further comprises at least one actuator, such as a spring-loaded pin, a cotter pin, a cam lock, a bolt, a nut, a safety pin, a threaded frame section and/or a ball spring plunger, configured to adjust a coupled length of two or more of frame portions 104. According to some embodiments, the at least one actuator is provided at least partially assembled and operatively coupled to one or more of frame portions 104.

According to some embodiments, kit 300 further comprises one or more mounting devices, such as mounting devices 150, configured to couple one or more of frame portions 104 to a mounting surface.

Additionally, according to some embodiments, kit 300 further comprises instructions 354 to provide guidance about how to assemble, install and/or operate the wheel storage apparatus.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto.

It will also be understood that for the purposes of this application, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” or “one or more of X, Y, and Z” language can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, XX, YZ, ZZ).

In the present application, components may be described as being “configured to” or “enabled to” perform one or more functions. Generally, it is understood that a component that is configured to or enabled to perform a function is configured to or enabled to perform the function, or is suitable for performing the function, or is adapted to perform the function, or is operable to perform the function, or is otherwise capable of performing the function.

Additionally, components in the present application may be described as being “operatively connected to”, “operatively coupled to”, and the like, to other components. It is understood that such components are connected or coupled to each other in a manner to perform a certain function. It is also understood that “connections”, “coupling” and the like, as recited in the present application include direct and indirect connections between components.

References in the application to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an implementation”, “a variant”, “an aspect”, etc., indicate that the embodiment, implementation, aspect or variant described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment, implementation or variant necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such module, aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. In other words, any module, element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility, or it is specifically excluded.

It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as “solely”, “only”, and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative” limitation. The terms “preferably”, “preferred”, “prefer”, “optionally”, “may”, and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and/or” means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.

The term “about” can refer to a variation of ±5%, ±10%, ±20%, or ±25% of the value specified. For example, “about 50” percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent. For integer ranges, the term “about” can include one or two integers greater than and/or less than a recited integer at each end of the range. Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term “about” is intended to include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that are equivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or the embodiment.

Reference to “generally” can mean “for at least the most part”. For example, unless otherwise specified, “generally vertical” could mean the majority of the reference item is in a vertical position or direction with allowance for at least some variation not necessarily in the vertical direction or position.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as “up to”, “at least”, “greater than”, “less than”, “more than”, “or more”, and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wheel storage apparatus comprising: a frame; and a plurality of wheel attachment devices coupled to and spaced apart from each other on the frame, each one of the attachment devices configured to support a wheel on the frame; wherein the frame is adjustable in one or more directions.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame forms a generally polygonal shape.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame portions configured to be coupled to each other, directly or indirectly.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of frame portions are coupled end-to-end.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of frame portions comprises a plurality of corner portions.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of corner portions comprises a first pair of corner portions and a second pair of corner portions opposite the first pair of corner portions, and the frame further comprises one or more pairs of elongate portions configured to couple the first pair of corner portions to the second pair of corner portions.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the frame comprises at least one elongate portion configured to couple the first pair of corner portion to each other and at least another elongate portion to couple the second pair of corner portions to each other.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is adjustable in two, generally co-planar directions.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the generally polygonal shape is a rectangle or square.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each one of the plurality of wheel attachment devices is adjustable to accommodate wheels of various widths, mounting backspacings or combinations thereof.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each one of the plurality of wheel attachment devices is configured to support at least a portion of a wheel's weight via a mounting surface of the wheel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one actuator to adjust a portion of the frame in the one or more directions.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one actuator comprises one or more of a spring-loaded pin, a cotter pin, a cam lock, a bolt, a nut, a safety pin, a threaded frame section and a ball spring plunger.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheel attachment devices are spaced apart from each other on the frame to accommodate a minimum wheel size of about 20 inches in diameter and a maximum wheel size of about 35 inches in diameter when the wheels are mounted such that the mounting face of each wheel faces the frame.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more mounting devices configured to couple the frame to a mounting surface.
 16. A kit for a wheel storage apparatus comprising: a plurality of separate frame portions configured to be coupled to each other, directly or indirectly; and a plurality of separate wheel attachment devices configured to be coupled to one or more of the frame portions to support a wheel thereon.
 17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the plurality of separate frame portions comprises at least one corner portion.
 18. The kit of claim 16, further comprising one or more separate mounting devices configured to couple one or more of the separate frame portions to a mounting surface.
 19. The kit of claim 16, further comprising at least one actuator configured to adjust a coupled length of two or more of the plurality of separate frame portions.
 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the at least one actuator comprises one or more of a spring-loaded pin, a cotter pin, a cam lock, a bolt, a nut, a safety pin, a threaded frame section and a ball spring plunger. 